Learn from Leading Journalists and Policy Experts

For over 30 years, The Fund for American Studies has supported enterprising journalists committed to serious reporting. Through the Media Accelerator Fellowship, TFAS continues this tradition by building up the next generation of emerging journalists. Through professional development sessions and intellectual inquiry, Media Accelerator Fellows learn from accomplished journalists to hone their craft and advance their careers.

Zach Kessel
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The wide range of speakers TFAS brings in for the fellowship allows fellows to learn about the range of options within journalism, from covering the legal system to national security. The program also plays a valuable role in connecting young journalists with each other, fostering relationships that will undoubtedly be helpful over the course of our careers.
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- Zach Kessel

2025-26 Media Accelerator Fellow

Where Our Fellows Are Making Their Mark

See some of the publications where our emerging journalists are breaking news and shaping the national discourse. 


The Media Accelerator Fellowship offers a mix of programming featuring distinguished speakers—ranging from seasoned journalists sharing lessons from their careers to practical sessions on sharpening journalistic skills, to briefings from leading policy experts. This year's curriculum will include: 

  • Monthly Discussions: Each month, fellows will dive into a different beat to deepen their subject-matter knowledge and build the practical skills needed to report on it effectively. Topics include economic policy, politics and campaigns, national security, legal affairs, and religion and culture. Fellows will also engage with veteran journalists who share lessons from their careers and offer insights on how young reporters can stand out in a competitive environment. 
  • Retreats: Over the course of the fellowship, participants will attend two retreats. The fall retreat will feature intensive skill-building sessions on topics such as interpreting polling and statistics, developing reliable sources, conducting interviews, building a personal brand, and media training. The spring retreat will center on Socratic-style discussions exploring “Liberty and Responsibility in the Media,” with in-depth conversations on free speech in society, objectivity in journalism, and the economic incentives shaping newsrooms.


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The Media Accelerator Fellowship equipped me with the tools to help keep the American people informed. But the greatest thing it taught me was the potential for excitement and adventure in a career in journalism. Such a line of work exposes a person to a network of interesting and intelligent people, and from that one can foster meaningful human connections that last for decades. 
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Charles Hilu

- Charles Hilu

2025-26 Media Accelerator Fellow

Tim Carney

Senior Columnist, Washington Examiner 
Senior Fellow, AEI 

Steve Hayes

CEO and Editor, The Dispatch

Vic Matus

Arts and Culture Editor, Washington Free Beacon

Gerard Baker

Editor at Large, Wall Street Journal

Andrew Kerr

Senior Investigative Reporter, Washington Free Beacon

David Drucker

Senior Writer, The Dispatch

Kai Chen Yeo

Partner, Echelon Insights

Michael Sobolik

Senior Fellow, Hudson Institute

Contributing Writer, The Dispatch

Kevin Daley

Managing Director, South Congress Strategies
Editor in Chief, Austin Sound

Noah Rothman

Senior Writer, National Review

Peter Suderman

Features Editor, Reason

Megan McArdle

Columnist, Washington Post 

Special Events

Welcome Dinner

Wednesday, September 2, 2026

6:00-8:30 PM


Fall Retreat

November 13-15, 2026
Annapolis, Maryland 


Spring Retreat
April 9 - 11, 2027

Richmond, Virginia


Closing Dinner

May 5, 2027





Monthly Speaker Events

October 7, 2026

December 2, 2026

January 6, 2027

February 17, 2027

March 17, 2027